I am pleased to report that at our June 25 meeting, the Regional School Committee (RSC) unanimously approved “Option 3C” for the ARHS Track and Field project. This option would re-orient the track to a north-south layout, create a natural-grass regulation-sized field inside the track, and provide an additional natural-grass field adjacent to the new track and field. In addition, the completed project would meet the necessary regulations to hold a track and field meet, and be ADA accessible.
The district has not yet secured the total funding required for this project (around $4.1 million), however the process can proceed by having a number of “Add Alternates” – items that can be delayed to allow funding to be secured at a later date. The Add Alternates proposed include lighting, curbing and sidewalk, ball safety netting, and reducing the scope of the fencing. This memo from Interim Superintendent Doug Slaughter lists the Add Alternates, as well as the motion that was passed by the RSC.
The RSC strongly urged the interim superintendent to pursue CPA (Community Preservation Act) funding from each of our four towns (Amherst, Leverett, Pelham, and Shutesbury).
According to the current project schedule, construction of the track and field is expected to completed by fall 2025.
Jennifer Shiao's School Committee Blog 